Forget the walk! Who needs air when he's right beside her?
But Candace refused to receive the silent message.
Sighing, she hefted her dress up and followed Candace out.
As soon as they stepped into the dimly lit hallway and the doors were closed behind them, Candace gripped her none-too-gently by the hand and dragged her away.
"I should give you a very serious whipping for your lack of scruples, Eve."
Eve blinked, confused.
She stumbled multiple times but kept her mouth sealed shut. Protesting never led anywhere with Candace when she was having a fit.
When they reached the end of the hall, Candace pulled her into one of the rooms there and closed the door behind them.
The room was dark save a single candle burning on the table. And the candle was as good as useless because it was dying out.
Eve looked at anything but Candace whose hand was at her waist in the unending condescending gesture she hated so much.
"The Duke was watching you, for heaven's sake Everetta. If I could see through you so easily, that man must be able to too. He's no fool."
Eve blinked again, still keeping her gaze averted. Her hands idly fondled the lace of her dress as she stood there.
"I didn't realize…"
"Realize. You're supposed to be discreet about your flirtation with Theo. If you don't ensure discretion, a scandal is bound to break out."
She stole a glance at Candace then, her breath catching at the sound of 'scandal'.
"I don't care what anyone thinks. We both know I love Theo."
"But Theo would not give you a roof over your head once your parents disown you, Eve." Then her voice softened. "Listen to me, I don't think loving Theodore is a mistake, but I don't want you to make any costly mistakes."
Eve took her hand and gave it a small squeeze.
"Thank you for understanding, Candy."
Candace winced as if she'd been struck by a bolt of lightning.
"Candy? Don't call me that."
"But I heard Friedrich-"
"He is the only one allowed to call me that." Candace said, her tone final.
Eve wiggled her brows playfully at her.
"Stop trying to change the subject, Eve."
"Change the subject? I thought that discussion was finished?"
"It is far from finished. I cannot and will not stand by and watch you fawn over him like a child starved of food for days."
Eve released her hand and took a step back.
"So how do I look at him without fawning over him?"
Candace's eyes widened at her question. "Even a little girl would know how to carry herself with dignity."
Colour stained her cheeks immediately.
"You really do loathe me, Candace." She turned to leave.
Candace held her hand and stopped her. "When you look at him, count three seconds and look away. Never last a second longer. Do you understand?"
She nodded, wondering why her mother never taught her that.
"There's much I need to learn. I'm just as ill-mannered as the country girls governesses warn their pupils about."
Candace burst into laughter. "You're just… a little unrefined. I'll take it upon myself to fix that."
Smiling, Candace grasped her hand and pulled her out of the room and into the hallway.
When they reached the door, both women paused.
"Remember - three seconds."
Eve nodded.
The doors were thrown open and they both sauntered in, arm in arm.
As courtesy demanded, all the men at the table rose, except the Duke of course.
But he gave them a little bow from his seat.
Everetta still couldn't help stealing glances at him. It was almost as if her eyes had a mind of their own.
Three seconds…
One, two…
Her eyes darted towards him again.
Candace pinched her arm just then, forcing her to look away.
Then, they unlinked arms and moved to their different seats.
As she settled down, her heart started pounding.
"Good evening, Lady Whitmore." He said to her, his deep voice cool but not rude.
She wanted to vault into the air just then.
He didn't hate her? She'd thought with every amount of certainty that he did.
But it had probably just been her imagination.
Realizing he expected her to say something, she quickly cleared her throat.
"Good evening, Lord… Theodore."
His name had hovered on the edge of her tongue, but she was sensible enough to remind herself that she wasn't close enough to call him Theo.
One, two, three, look away.
He made eye contact with her, finally giving her the chance to see his smoky grey eyes up close.
They were just as she had seen them in her dreams.
Eve considered making small talk, but thought better of it.
"I appreciate that you were both waiting for me, but you don't have to starve our guests on my account. Please tell the servants to serve the food." Theo said to his father and brother.
That was her cue.
While the servants crowded the room with their heavy serving trays, she adjusted the bodice of her gown, pretending to fan herself with her hand.
To her utmost dismay, he turned to talk to a female servant about oyster soup.
Oyster soup? Of all things?
Groaning inward, she picked up her fork and waited.
How would she gauge his reaction if he doesn't pay attention to her?
Then… the answer came.
She needed to be completely alone with him.
But how would she even achieve that?
A stout serving wench dropped the first course in front of her, reaching forward to unfold her napkin for her before Eve stopped her.
"I can do it myself."
The woman stiffened, taken aback.
"Thank you." She added to ease the tension.
The woman just nodded and scurried away.
When she looked up, everyone was staring at her.
Except him, of course.
What was so wrong in unfolding her napkin herself?
Candace just giggled and resumed eating her soup.
How utterly mortifying.
"I just hope you don't seize the serving tray and serve yourself, my lady." The Duke said, his eyes twinkling.
Colour stained her cheeks for the hundredth time that evening.
The man beside her coughed slightly, drawing her wholesome attention. It was the typical mocking cough society branded as polite - instead of laughing out loud.
She'd deal with him, she told herself.
And there was plenty of time to be alone with him when she shared a floor with only him after all, a wicked voice added.